Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Six Cities Convicted of Tampering with Traffic Lights for Profit

Many people don't understand the threat and temptation posed by surveillance. Here is a concrete example, proven in court, of the harm that can be done by surveillance:

Six US cities tamper with traffic cameras for profit

Six U.S. cities have been found guilty of shortening the amber cycles below what is allowed by law on intersections equipped with cameras meant to catch red-light runners. The local governments in question have ignored the safety benefit of increasing the yellow light time and decided to install red-light cameras, shorten the yellow light duration, and collect the profits instead.


Surveillance equipment can be used responsibly. But people are people; it's easy and profitable to abuse the equipment in ways that not just steal from people, but endanger lives. When the amber cycle is too short, it is harder for drivers to stop safely; that can raise the accident rate. This is unacceptable -- and it's probably happening in a lot more places.
Tags: economics, politics
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ysabetwordsmith

ysabetwordsmith

April 23 2008, 15:46:49 UTC 13 years ago

It probably wouldn't take too long to unearth the legal minimum time for amber cycles. You could then time the ones that are different lengths to see if any fall below the minimum. And if you don't have the money for a lawsuit yourself ... just send the data to a local newspaper.